Cleaning systems and methods for operating the same

ABSTRACT

Cleaning systems and methods for operating dryer appliances of cleaning systems are provided. A cleaning system includes a dryer appliance and a washing machine appliance. A method includes receiving a cycle status signal from the washing machine appliance, the cycle status signal providing a wash cycle completion indicator. The method further includes determining if the wash cycle completion indicator exceeds a dry cycle completion indicator for the dryer appliance, and operating the dryer appliance in an extended tumble cycle after a dry cycle of the dryer appliance is complete when the wash cycle completion indicator exceeds the dry cycle completion time.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed generally to cleaning systems, whichmay include washing machine appliances and dryer appliances, and methodsfor operating the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Washing machine appliances and dryer appliances are frequently used toclean various articles, such as clothes, linens, etc. Washing machineappliances generally include a tub for containing wash fluid, e.g.,water and detergent, bleach and/or other wash additives. A basket ismounted within the tub and defines a wash chamber for receipt ofarticles for washing. During operation of such washing machineappliances, wash fluid is directed into the tub and onto articles withinthe wash chamber of the basket. The basket or an agitation element canrotate at various speeds to agitate articles within the wash chamber inthe wash fluid, to wring wash fluid from articles within the washchamber, etc. After washing in a washing machine appliance, articles aretypically transferred to a dryer appliance. Dryer appliances generallyinclude a cabinet with a drum mounted therein. Dryer appliances alsogenerally include a heater assembly that passes heated air through thechamber of the drum in order to dry moisture laden articles disposedwithin the chamber.

Changes in and additions to government-mandated energy regulations haveresulted in changes in the operation of washing machine appliances. Inparticular, due to such energy regulations, less water is being utilizedto wash articles in a washing machine appliance. To ensure that articlesare still adequately cleaned, the time period for the agitation portionof the wash cycle has been generally increased. Additionally, in orderto reduce the remaining moisture content in articles at the end of thewash cycle, the time period for the spin portion of the wash cycle hasbeen generally increased. As a result, in many cases, the typical washcycle completion time has begun to exceed the typical dry cyclecompletion time.

In many cases, a consumer operates a washing machine appliance and adryer appliance at the same time in order to efficiently clean multipleloads of articles. Once both appliances have completed their operation,articles from the dryer appliance can be removed for folding, wearing,storing, etc., and articles from the washing machine appliance can betransferred to the dryer appliance for drying.

The combination of increased wash cycle completion times (beyond drycycle completion times) and simultaneous uses of washer appliances anddryer appliances has results in some disadvantages for the user. Forexample, in many cases, the user will not unload articles from oneappliance (in this case, the dryer appliance) that has completed itsoperation until both appliances have completed their operations.Accordingly, once the dry cycle is completed, articles may sit in thedryer appliance until the wash cycle is completed. This can lead towrinkling, cooling down, and other undesirable characteristics for thearticles in the dryer appliance.

Accordingly, improved cleaning systems and associated methods aredesired. In particular, cleaning systems and methods which reduce oreliminate times during which articles sit in dryer appliances after drycycle completion would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method for operating a dryerappliance of a cleaning system is provided. The cleaning system includesthe dryer appliance and a washing machine appliance. The method includesreceiving a cycle status signal from the washing machine appliance, thecycle status signal providing a wash cycle completion indicator. Themethod further includes determining if the wash cycle completionindicator exceeds a dry cycle completion indicator for the dryerappliance, and operating the dryer appliance in an extended tumble cycleafter a dry cycle of the dryer appliance is complete when the wash cyclecompletion indicator exceeds the dry cycle completion indicator.

In accordance with another embodiment, a cleaning system is provided.The cleaning system includes a washing machine appliance, the washingmachine appliance including a first controller operable to store andtransmit wash control information for the washing machine appliance. Thecleaning system further includes a dryer appliance, the dryer applianceincluding a second controller operable to store and transmit dry controlinformation for the dryer appliance. The second controller is operablefor receiving a cycle status signal from the first controller, the cyclestatus signal providing a wash cycle completion indicator. The secondcontroller is further operable for determining if the wash cyclecompletion indicator exceeds a dry cycle completion indicator for thedryer appliance, and operating the dryer appliance in an extended tumblecycle after a dry cycle of the dryer appliance is complete when the washcycle completion indicator exceeds the dry cycle completion indicator.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a washing machine appliance inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of a dryer appliance inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cleaning system in accordance withone embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for operating a cleaning system inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method for operating a cleaning system inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 is front, cross-sectional view of a washing machine appliance 50according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Asmay be seen in FIG. 1, washing machine appliance 50 includes a cabinet52. A backsplash 56 extends from cabinet 52, and a control panel 58including a plurality of input selectors 60 is coupled to backsplash 56.Control panel 58 and input selectors 60 collectively form a userinterface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features,and in one embodiment, a display 61 indicates selected features, acountdown timer, and/or other items of interest to machine users. A lid62 is mounted to cabinet 52 and is rotatable between an open positionfacilitating access to a wash tub 64 located within cabinet 52 and aclosed position forming an enclosure over tub 64.

Tub 64 includes a bottom wall 66 and a sidewall 68. A wash drum or washbasket 70 is rotatably mounted within tub 64. In particular, basket 70is rotatable about a vertical axis V. Thus, washing machine appliance isgenerally referred to as a vertical axis washing machine appliance.Basket 70 defines a wash chamber 73 for receipt of articles for washingand extends, e.g., vertically, between a bottom portion 80 and a topportion 82. Basket 70 includes a plurality of openings or perforations71 therein to facilitate fluid communication between an interior ofbasket 70 and tub 64.

A nozzle 72 is configured for flowing a liquid into tub 64. Inparticular, nozzle 72 may be positioned at or adjacent top portion 82 ofbasket 70. Nozzle 72 may be in fluid communication with one or morewater sources 75, 76 in order to direct liquid (e.g. water) into tub 64and/or onto articles within chamber 73 of basket 70. Nozzle 72 mayfurther include apertures 79 through which water may be sprayed into thetub 64. Apertures 79 may, for example, be tubes extending from thenozzles 72 as illustrated, or simply holes defined in the nozzles 72 orany other suitable openings through which water may be sprayed. Nozzle72 may additionally include other openings, holes, etc. (not shown)through which water may be flowed, i.e. sprayed or poured, into the tub64.

A main valve 74 regulates the flow of fluid through nozzle 72. Forexample, valve 74 can selectively adjust to a closed position in orderto terminate or obstruct the flow of fluid through nozzle 72. The mainvalve 74 may be in fluid communication with one or more external watersources, such as a cold water source 75 and a hot water source 76. Thecold water source 75 may, for example, be a commercial water supply,while the hot water source 76 may be, for example, a water heater. Suchexternal water sources 75, 76 may supply water to the appliance 50through the main valve 74. A cold water conduit 77 and a hot waterconduit 78 may supply cold and hot water, respectively, from the sources75, 76 through valve 74. Valve 74 may further be operable to regulatethe flow of hot and cold liquid, and thus the temperature of theresulting liquid flowed into tub 64, such as through the nozzle 72.

An additive dispenser 84 may additionally be provided for directing awash additive, such as detergent, bleach, liquid fabric softener, etc.,into the tub 64. For example, dispenser 84 may be in fluid communicationwith nozzle 72 such that water flowing through nozzle 72 flows throughdispenser 84, mixing with wash additive at a desired time duringoperation to form a liquid or wash fluid, before being flowed into tub64. In some embodiments, nozzle 72 is a separate downstream componentfrom dispenser 84. In other embodiments, nozzle 72 and dispenser 84 maybe integral, with a portion of dispenser 84 serving as the nozzle 72. Apump assembly 90 (shown schematically in FIG. 1) is located beneath tub64 and basket 70 for gravity assisted flow to drain tub 64.

An agitation element 92, shown as an impeller in FIG. 1, may be disposedin basket 70 to impart an oscillatory motion to articles and liquid inchamber 73 of basket 70. In various exemplary embodiments, agitationelement 92 includes a single action element (i.e., oscillatory only),double action (oscillatory movement at one end, single directionrotation at the other end) or triple action (oscillatory movement plussingle direction rotation at one end, singe direction rotation at theother end). As illustrated in FIG. 1, agitation element 92 is orientedto rotate about vertical axis V. Basket 70 and agitation element 92 aredriven by a motor 94, such as a pancake motor. As motor output shaft 98is rotated, basket 70 and agitation element 92 are operated forrotatable movement within tub 64, e.g., about vertical axis V. Washingmachine appliance 50 may also include a brake assembly (not shown)selectively applied or released for respectively maintaining basket 70in a stationary position within tub 64 or for allowing basket 70 to spinwithin tub 64.

Operation of washing machine appliance 50 is controlled by a processingdevice or controller 100 that is operatively coupled to the inputselectors 60 located on washing machine backsplash 56 for usermanipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. Controller100 may further be operatively coupled to various other components ofappliance 50, such as main valve 74, motor 94, etc. In response to usermanipulation of the input selectors 60, controller 100 may operate thevarious components of washing machine appliance 50 to execute selectedmachine cycles and features.

Controller 100 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as ageneral or special purpose microprocessor operable to executeprogramming instructions or micro-control code associated with acleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such asDRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, theprocessor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memorymay be a separate component from the processor or may be includedonboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 100 may beconstructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination ofdiscrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches,amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and thelike) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.Control panel 58 and other components of washing machine appliance 50may be in communication with controller 100 via one or more signal linesor shared communication busses.

In an illustrative embodiment, laundry items are loaded into chamber 73of basket 70, and washing operation is initiated through operatormanipulation of control input selectors 60. Tub 64 is filled with waterand mixed with detergent to form a liquid or wash fluid. Main valve 74can be opened to initiate a flow of water into tub 64 via nozzle 72, andtub 64 can be filled to the appropriate level for the amount of articlesbeing washed. Once tub 64 is properly filled with wash fluid, thecontents of the basket 70 are agitated with agitation element 92 forcleaning of articles in basket 70. More specifically, agitation element92 is moved back and forth in an oscillatory motion.

After the agitation portion of the wash cycle is completed, tub 64 isdrained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed in one or more rinseportions by again adding fluid to tub 64 and, depending on theparticulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user, agitation element92 may again provide agitation within basket 70. One or more spinportions may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be appliedafter the agitation portion(s) and drain portion(s) and/or after therinse portion(s) in order to wring wash fluid from the articles beingwashed. During a spin portion, basket 70 is rotated at relatively highspeeds. Operation of the washing machine appliance 50, including thesevarious cycle portions, is collectively referred to as a wash cycle.

While described in the context of a specific embodiment of washingmachine appliance 50, using the teachings disclosed herein it will beunderstood that washing machine appliance 50 is provided by way ofexample only. Other washing machine appliances having different physicalconfigurations (such as horizontal-axis washing machine appliances),different appearances, different wash cycle configurations, and/ordifferent features may also be utilized with the present subject matteras well.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of a dryer appliance 200 with aportion of a cabinet or housing 212 of dryer appliance 200 removed inorder to show certain components of dryer appliance 200. While describedin the context of a specific embodiment of dryer appliance 200 using theteachings disclosed herein it will be understood that dryer appliance200 is provided by way of example only. Other dryer appliances havingdifferent appearances and different features may also be utilized withthe present subject matter as well.

Cabinet 212 includes a front panel 214, a rear panel 216, a pair of sidepanels 218 and 220 spaced apart from each other by front and rear panels214 and 216, a bottom panel 222, and a top cover 224. Within cabinet 212is a drum or container 226. Drum 226 defines a chamber 225 for receiptof articles, e.g., clothing, linen, etc., for drying. Drum 226 extendsbetween a front portion 237 and a back portion 238, e.g., along alateral direction. In exemplary embodiments the drum 226 is rotational.Alternatively, however, the drum 226 may be fixedly mounted within thehousing 212.

Drum 226 is generally cylindrical in shape, having an outer cylindricalwall or cylinder 228 and a front flange or wall 230 that may define anentry 232 of drum 226, e.g., at front portion 237 of drum 226, forloading and unloading of articles into and out of chamber 225 of drum226. Cylinder 228 may include a generally cylindrical inner surface 229.Drum 226 also includes a back or rear wall 234, e.g., at back portion238 of drum 226. Notably, in alternative embodiments as discussedherein, entry 232 may be defined in top cover 224 and cylinder 228, andfront wall 230 may be a generally solid wall.

A motor 231 may be in mechanical communication with an air handler 248such that motor 231 rotates a fan 249, e.g., a centrifugal fan, of airhandler 248. Air handler 248 is configured for drawing air throughchamber 225 of drum 226, e.g., in order to dry articles located thereinas discussed in greater detail below. Motor 231 may additionally be inmechanical communication with the drum 226 for rotating the drum 226. Inalternative exemplary embodiments, dryer appliance 200 may include anadditional motor (not shown) for rotating fan 249 of air handler 248independently of drum 226.

Drum 226 may be configured to receive heated air that has been heated bya heating assembly 240, e.g., in order to dry damp articles disposedwithin chamber 225 of drum 226. Heating assembly 240 includes a heatingelement (not shown), such as a gas burner or an electrical resistanceheating element, for heating air. As discussed above, during operationof dryer appliance 200, motor 231 rotates fan 249 of air handler 248such that air handler 248 draws air through chamber 225 of drum 226. Inparticular, ambient air enters heating assembly 240 via an entrance 251due to air handler 248 urging such ambient air into entrance 251. Suchambient air is heated within heating assembly 240 and exits heatingassembly 240 as heated air. Air handler 248 draws such heated airthrough duct 241 to drum 226. The heated air enters drum 226 through anoutlet of duct 241 positioned at rear wall 234 of drum 226.

Within chamber 225, the heated air can remove moisture, e.g., from damparticles disposed within chamber 225. In turn, air handler 248 drawsmoisture statured air through a screen filter (not shown) which trapslint particles. Such moisture statured air then enters an exit conduit247 and is passed through air handler 248 to an exhaust conduit 252.From exhaust conduit 252, such moisture statured air passes out of dryerappliance 200 through a vent 253 defined by cabinet 212. After theclothing articles have been dried, they are removed from the drum 226via entry 232. A door 233 provides for closing or accessing drum 226through entry 232.

A backsplash 271 extends from cabinet 212, and a control panel 272including a plurality of input selectors 270 is coupled to thebacksplash 271. Control panel 272 and input selectors 270 collectivelyform a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles andfeatures, and in one embodiment, a display 274 indicates selectedfeatures, a countdown timer, and/or other items of interest to machineusers.

Operation of dryer appliance 200 is controlled by a processing device orcontroller 300 that is operatively coupled to the input selectors 270located on backsplash 271 for user manipulation to select dryer cyclesand features. Controller 300 may further be operatively coupled tovarious other components of appliance 200, such as motor 231, etc. Inresponse to user manipulation of the input selectors 270, controller 300may operate the various components of dryer appliance 200 to executeselected machine cycles and features.

Controller 300 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as ageneral or special purpose microprocessor operable to executeprogramming instructions or micro-control code associated with acleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such asDRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, theprocessor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memorymay be a separate component from the processor or may be includedonboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 300 may beconstructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination ofdiscrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches,amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and thelike) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.Control panel 272 and other components of dryer appliance 200 may be incommunication with controller 300 via one or more signal lines or sharedcommunication busses.

It should be understood that, while FIG. 2 illustrates an embodimentwherein dryer assembly 200 is a horizontal axis dryer assembly, in otherembodiments dryer assembly 200 may be, for example, a vertical axisdryer assembly or another suitable dryer assembly. Additionally, dryerassemblies with other suitable drying features, such as condensing dryerassemblies and heat pump dryer assemblies, may be utilized. Accordingly,the present disclosure is not limited to horizontal axis dryerassemblies as described herein. Rather, any suitable dryer assembly iswithin the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a cleaning system 500 in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure is provided. Cleaning system 500includes a washing machine appliance 50 and a dryer appliance 200. Thewashing machine appliance 50 includes a first controller 100, while thedryer appliance 200 includes a second controller 300. Various componentsof the respective controllers 100, 300 are illustrated in schematicfashion. As shown, a controller 100, 300 may include one or moreprocessor(s) 102, 302 and associated memory device(s) 104, 304configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions (e.g.,performing the methods, steps, and the like disclosed herein).Additionally, the controller 100, 300 may also include a communicationsmodule 106, 306 to facilitate communications between the controller 100,300 and the other respective controller 300, 100 and various othercomponents of the system 500, such as a remote server and user interfacedevice, as discussed herein. For instance, the communications module106, 306 may serve as an interface to permit the controller 100, 300 totransmit and/or receive wash control information of the washing machineappliance 50 and/or dry control information of the dryer appliance 200.Wash control information is generally information related to operationof the washing machine appliance 50, and various such information isdiscussed herein. Similarly, dry control information is generallyinformation related to operation of the dryer appliance 200, and varioussuch information is discussed herein. Moreover, the communicationsmodule 106, 306 may include an interface 108, 308 (e.g., one or moreanalog-to-digital converters) to permit input signals to be convertedinto signals that can be understood and processed by the processor 102,302.

The washing machine appliance 50 and dryer appliance 200, such as thecontrollers 100 and 300 thereof, may be in communication with each otherthrough a suitable wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments,for example, the controllers 100 and 300 may be in direct wiredcommunication through use of suitable wiring. In other embodiments, thecleaning system 500 may further include a remote server 510. The remoteserver 510 may generally operate to receive and transmit wash controlinformation and dry control information, and may thus be incommunication with the washing machine appliance 50 and the dryerappliance 200. For example, remote server 510 may include one or moreprocessor(s) 512 and associated memory device(s) 514 configured toperform a variety of computer-implemented functions (e.g., performingthe methods, steps, and the like disclosed herein). Additionally, theremote server 510 may also include a communications module 516 tofacilitate communications between the remote server 510 and the otherrespective controllers 100, 300 and various other components of thesystem 500, such as a user interface device, as discussed herein. Forinstance, the communications module 516 may serve as an interface topermit the remote server 510 to transmit and/or receive wash controlinformation and dry control information. Moreover, the communicationsmodule 516 may include an interface 518 (e.g., one or moreanalog-to-digital converters) to permit input signals to be convertedinto signals that can be understood and processed by the processor 512.

Server 510 may be remote, and thus external to the washing machineappliance 50 and the dryer appliance 200, as well as other components ofthe system 500 such as a user interface device, discussed herein. Theserver 510 may, for example, be in another room of a house or buildingin which the system 500 is utilized, or in a neighboring building, etc.Alternatively, and in exemplary embodiments, the remote server 510 maybe a cloud-based server 510, and thus be located at a distant location,such as in a separate state, country, etc. The remote server 510 may bein wired or wireless communication with the washing machine appliance 50and the dryer appliance 200, such as through a network 520. In exemplaryembodiments, the network 520 may be any type of wireless communicationsnetwork, such as a local area network (e.g. intranet), wide area network(e.g. Internet), or some combination thereof. The network 520 can alsoinclude a direct connection between the client devices, such as thewashing machine appliance 50, the dryer appliance 200, and a userinterface device as discussed herein, and the server 510. In general,communication between the server 510 and the client devices may becarried via a network interface using any type of wireless connection,using a variety of communication protocols (e.g. TCP/IP, HTTP, SMTP,FTP), encodings or formats (e.g. HTML, XML), and/or protection schemes(e.g. VPN, secure HTTP, SSL).

System 500 may, in some embodiments, further include a user interfacedevice 530. The user interface device 530 may in some embodiments be inwired or wireless communication with the remote server 510, such asthrough the network 520 as discussed herein, and may thus indirectly bein wireless communication with the appliances 50, 200, such as thecontrollers 100, 300 thereof. Alternatively, the user interface device530 may be in wired or wireless communication directly with theappliances 50, 200, such as the controllers 100, 300 thereof. The userinterface device 530 may provide the user with access to the washcontrol information and dry control information, and may be operable,such as by the user, to modify the wash control information and/or drycontrol information. The user interface device 530 in exemplaryembodiments is independent from the washing machine appliance 50 and thedryer appliance 200, and may in some embodiments be, for example, acomputer (such as a desktop computer or a laptop), a tablet, a personaltelephone (such as a suitable smartphone), a television (such as a smarttelevision) or an independent device which functions solely to operateand communicate with the various other components of the cleaning system500.

User interface device 530 may, include a controller 531. The controller531 may include one or more processor(s) 532 and associated memorydevice(s) 534 configured to perform a variety of computer-implementedfunctions (e.g., performing the methods, steps, and the like disclosedherein). Additionally, the controller 531 may also include acommunications module 536 to facilitate communications between thedevice 530 and the server 510. For instance, the communications module536 may serve as an interface to permit the controller 531 to transmitand/or receive wash control information and dry control information.Moreover, the communications module 536 may include an interface 538(e.g., one or more analog-to-digital converters) to permit input signalsto be converted into signals that can be understood and processed by theprocessor 532. The interface 538 may include or be in communication withinput selectors 540 of the device 530, through which a user may providevarious inputs as desired.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the present disclosure is further directedto methods, as indicated generally by reference numeral 600, foroperating a dryer appliance 200 of a cleaning system 500. As discussed,a cleaning system 500 in accordance with the present disclosure includesa dryer appliance 200 and a washing machine appliance 50. It should beunderstood that in exemplary embodiments, controller 300 of dryerappliance 200 may be operable to perform the various steps as disclosedherein.

A method 600 may include, for example, the step 610 of receiving a cyclestatus signal 612 from the washing machine appliance 50. The cyclestatus signal 612 may provide a wash cycle completion indicator 614. Thecycle status signal 612 may, for example, be a signal transmitted fromthe controller 100 to the controller 300 through any suitablecommunications route as discussed herein. Alternatively, the cyclestatus signal 612 may be a signal transmitted to the controller 300 froma sensor 280 of dryer appliance 200. Sensor 280 may, for example, beoperable to sense a characteristic of the washing machine appliance 50and the status of a wash cycle 616 of the washing machine appliance 50.For example, sensor 280 may be a microphone or other noise sensingdevice operable to detect noises from the washing machine appliance 50,such as noises indicating operation of the washing machine appliance 50in a wash cycle 616 or an audible tone from the washing machineappliance 50 indicating completion of a wash cycle 616. Alternatively,sensor 280 may be an accelerometer operable to sense movement of thewashing machine appliance 50 indicating operation in a wash cycle 616.In still other embodiments, any suitable sensor 280 which can sense acharacteristic of the washing machine appliance 50 that indicates thestatus of a wash cycle 616 is within the scope and spirit of the presentdisclosure.

In some embodiments, wash cycle completion indicator 614 may be a washcycle completion time, such as an estimated or calculated time remaininguntil completion of a wash cycle 616 of the washing machine appliance50. In some embodiments, such as during the agitation portion or rinseportion, the controller 100 may be operable to estimate the wash cyclecompletion time 614, as is generally understood in the art. In otherembodiments, such as during the spin portion, the controller 300 may becalculate the wash cycle completion time 614, as is generally understoodin the art. This time 614 may be transmitted in or as a part of cyclestatus signal 612 to the controller 300. Alternatively, wash cyclecompletion indicator 614 may be an indication of whether the wash cycleis complete, without a specific time until completion associated withsuch indication. The indication may be provided by the controller 100or, for example, by a sensor 280.

A method 600 may, in some embodiments, further include the step 620 ofrequesting the cycle status signal 612 from the washing machineappliance 50, such as from the controller 100 thereof, when a dry cycle622 of the dryer appliance 200 reaches a dry cycle completion checkpoint 624. For example, controller 300 may transmit a request signal tothe controller 100 through a suitable communications route. Dry cyclecompletion check point 624 may be a time point at or approaching the endof the dry cycle 622 of the dryer appliance 200. For example, duringoperation, the controller 300 may provide a dry cycle completionindicator 626, such as an estimated or calculated dry cycle completiontime or a signal that the dry cycle is complete, as is generallyunderstood in the art. In some embodiments, the dry cycle completioncheck point 624 occurs at a dry cycle end point, wherein the dry cycle622 is completed. In other embodiments, dry cycle completion check point624 occurs at a predetermined time period before the dry cycle endpoint. The predetermined time period may be programmed into thecontroller 300 and the time of the dry cycle completion check point 624in these embodiments may be calculated based on the dry cycle completionindicator 626 and the predetermined time period. After the cycle statussignal 612 is requested, the signal 612 may be transmitted by thecontroller 100 and the step 610 of receiving the cycle status signal 612may occur.

Method 600 may further include, for example, the step 630 of determiningif the wash cycle completion indicator 614 exceeds the dry cyclecompletion indicator 626. For example, in exemplary embodiments, thewash cycle completion indicator 614 and dry cycle completion indicator626 are completion times. In these embodiments, when the wash cyclecompletion indicator 614 is less than or equal to the dry cyclecompletion time 626, the wash cycle 616 and the dry cycle 622 may simplybe allowed to run to completion, with no further action taken. When thewash cycle completion indicator 614 does exceed the dry cycle completiontime 626, further action may be taken, as discussed herein. In otherembodiments, the wash cycle completion indicator 614 is a signal thatindicates whether a wash cycle 616 is completed or not completed, andthe dry cycle completion indicator 626 is a signal that indicateswhether a dry cycle 622 is completed or not completed. The wash cyclecompletion indicator 614 exceeds the dry cycle completion indicator 626when the wash cycle 616 is not complete but the dry cycle 622 iscomplete. In these instances, further action may be taken, as discussedherein. The wash cycle completion indicator 614 does not exceed the drycycle completion indicator 626 when both the wash cycle 616 and the drycycle 622 are complete, or when the wash cycle 616 is complete but thedry cycle 622 is not. In these cases, the dry cycle 622 may simply beallowed to run to completion, with no further action taken

It should be noted that, in exemplary embodiments, steps 610 and 630 aswell as step 620 may be performed in a continuous loop during all or aportion of the operation of the washing machine appliance 50 and/or thedryer appliance 200. Accordingly, such steps may be repeated atpredetermined intervals during operation of the washing machineappliance 50 and/or the dryer appliance 200, and results may becontinuously updated during such operation.

Method 600 may further include, for example, the step 640 of operatingthe dryer appliance 200 in an extended tumble cycle 642 after the drycycle 622 is complete. This step may occur, for example, when the washcycle completion indicator 614 exceeds the dry cycle completionindicator 626. Operation in the extended tumble cycle 642 aftercompletion of the dry cycle 622 accordingly continues operation of thedryer appliance 200 at least until the operation of the washing machineappliance 50 is complete. Such operation has a variety of advantages. Inparticular, such operation prevents or reduces wrinkling of articles indryer appliance 200 due to the articles sitting in the dryer appliance200 after completion of the dry cycle 622 while the wash cycle 616 isfinishing. Further, in embodiments wherein heat is utilized in theextended tumble cycle 642, the articles may advantageously be warm whenremoved from the dryer appliance 200.

Extended tumble cycle 642 is an extra cycle 642 beyond the dry cycle 622of the dryer appliance 200. Dry cycle 622 may operate to generally dryarticles in the dryer appliance 200 to a satisfactory level that thearticles could be considered dry and ready for removal from the dryerappliance 200. Extended tumble cycle 642 is a cycle 642 that operatesbeyond this standard operation of the dryer appliance 200 in dry cycle622. In some embodiments, extended tumble cycle 642 may include rotationof the drum 226, with the heating assembly 240 off so that no additionalheat is provided to the articles. Alternatively, however, heatingassembly 240 may be utilized, constantly or periodically, during theextended tumble cycle 642. Additionally or alternatively, steam could beinjected to the chamber 225. Still further, rotation of the drum 226could be at a speed different from that of the dry cycle 622 and/orcould be pulsed.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the extended tumble cycle642 may occur until the wash cycle 616 is complete. Accordingly,operation of the washing machine appliance 50 and dryer appliance 200may finish generally simultaneously. In other embodiments, asillustrated in FIG. 5, the extended tumble cycle 642 may occur until apredetermined time period 644 expires after the wash cycle 616 iscomplete. Accordingly, operation of the dryer appliance 200 may continuefor a predetermined time period after operation of the washing machinehas finished. Such predetermined time period may be pre-programmed intocontroller 300, or alternatively may be selected by a user.

For example, referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments method 600 mayfurther include the step 650 of receiving an extended tumble cycle timeperiod signal 652. The extended tumble cycle time period signal 652 mayprovide the predetermined time period 644. In some embodiments, theextended tumble cycle time period signal 652 may be received due toselection of the predetermined time period 644 using input selectors 270on dryer appliance 200. Accordingly, a user may enter a predeterminedtime period 644 using input selectors 270 when prompted by the dryerappliance 200, and an extended tumble cycle time period signal 652 whichincludes this predetermined time period 644 may be received, such as bycontroller 300. In other embodiments, the extended tumble cycle timeperiod signal 652 is received from user interface device 530.Accordingly, a user may enter a predetermined time period 644 usinginput selectors 540 when prompted by the user interface device 530, andan extended tumble cycle time period signal 652 which includes thispredetermined time period 644 may be received, such as by controller300, after being communicated to the controller 300 through a suitablecommunications route from the user interface device 530.

Further, in some embodiments, method 600 may further include the step660 of requesting the extended tumble cycle time period signal 652, suchas from the user interface device 530 or alternatively using the controlpanel 272. Controller 300 may, for example, send signals to the userinterface device 530 or the control panel 272 to request user inputregarding the predetermined time period 644. After such request, andupon user entry, step 650 may occur.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for operating a dryer appliance of acleaning system, the cleaning system comprising the dryer appliance anda washing machine appliance, the method comprising: receiving a cyclestatus signal from the washing machine appliance, the cycle statussignal providing a wash cycle completion indicator; determining if thewash cycle completion indicator exceeds a dry cycle completion indicatorfor the dryer appliance; and operating the dryer appliance in anextended tumble cycle after a dry cycle of the dryer appliance iscomplete when the wash cycle completion indicator exceeds the dry cyclecompletion time.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising requestingthe cycle status signal from the washing machine appliance when a drycycle of the dryer appliance reaches a dry cycle completion check point.3. The method of claim 2, wherein the dry cycle completion check pointoccurs at a dry cycle end point.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein thedry cycle completion check point occurs at a predetermined time periodbefore a dry cycle end point.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theextended tumble cycle occurs until a wash cycle of the washing machineappliance is complete.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the extendedtumble cycle occurs until a predetermined time period expires after awash cycle of the washing machine appliance is complete.
 7. The methodof claim 6, further comprising receiving an extended tumble cycle timeperiod signal, the extended tumble cycle time period signal providingthe predetermined time period.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein theextended tumble cycle time period signal is received from a userinterface device.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprisingrequesting the extended tumble cycle time period signal.
 10. The methodof claim 9, wherein the extended tumble cycle time period signal isrequested from a user interface device.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the receiving step and the determining step are performed in acontinuous loop.
 12. A cleaning system, comprising: a washing machineappliance, the washing machine appliance comprising a first controlleroperable to store and transmit wash control information for the washingmachine appliance; and a dryer appliance, the dryer appliance comprisinga second controller operable to store and transmit dry controlinformation for the dryer appliance, the second controller operable for:receiving a cycle status signal from the first controller, the cyclestatus signal providing a wash cycle completion indicator; determiningif the wash cycle completion indicator exceeds a dry cycle completionindicator for the dryer appliance; and operating the dryer appliance inan extended tumble cycle after a dry cycle of the dryer appliance iscomplete when the wash cycle completion indicator exceeds the dry cyclecompletion time.
 13. The cleaning system of claim 12, wherein the secondcontroller is further operable for requesting the cycle status signalfrom the first controller when a dry cycle of the dryer appliancereaches a dry cycle completion check point.
 14. The cleaning system ofclaim 12, wherein the extended tumble cycle occurs until a wash cycle ofthe washing machine appliance is complete.
 15. The cleaning system ofclaim 12, wherein the extended tumble cycle occurs until a predeterminedtime period expires after a wash cycle of the washing machine applianceis complete.
 16. The cleaning system of claim 15, further comprisingreceiving an extended tumble cycle time period signal, the extendedtumble cycle time period signal providing the predetermined time period.17. The cleaning system of claim 16, further comprising a user interfacedevice in communication with the washer appliance and the dryerappliance, and wherein the extended tumble cycle time period signal isreceived from the user interface device.
 18. The cleaning system ofclaim 16, further comprising requesting the extended tumble cycle timeperiod signal.
 19. The cleaning system of claim 18, further comprising auser interface device in communication with the washer appliance and thedryer appliance, and wherein the extended tumble cycle time periodsignal is requested from the user interface device.
 20. The cleaningsystem of claim 12, wherein the first controller and the secondcontroller are in wireless communication.